blogging – Page 3 – Sew Do It Emma

The Knitting & Stitching Show, Edinburgh

Published on May 2, 2017May 2, 2017 by Emma_Ciarrocca5 Comments

Flipping heck! What a wave of fresh air in fabric gooeyness.

I’m feeling very happy with all my purchases and date I say it I could have bought so much more but resistance was in control. (Thank heavens as I would have bought double the amount of fabric!).

It’s the second year for the show in Edinburgh and I think it was better even though I noticed a couple of stalls not being there from last year (yes, I did miss them!) but hey, you can’t have it all.

My TATB Cleo is getting her grand day out!

I bought three fabrics from fabrics galore!

The grey textured fabric is for a Saunio Cardigan. The flamingoes and the black & white fabrics are for M7094.
I chatted to Lauren of Guthrie & Ghani and watched her demonstrate top tips at the creative living theatre on sewing with stretch and jersey fabrics. I also bought a lovely viscose.

Lovely soft viscose, destined for the McCalls 7094!

The lovely Lauren, demonstrating with stretch and knit fabrics!

Ben (@Sewcialogist) gave me some helpful hints regarding the collar in M7094 using the Viscose and how to use the Prym “Wash off Tape” instead of using pins or basting/tacking, which is a winner in my book (I hate tacking). He was wearing his newly made shirt, which was perfect on G&G’s stall. The viscose is a long term staple of G&G too, so it’s good to know that lots of people have bought this!

I wasn’t alone for long as I met Shirley (@Beatgirl9091) and Lesley (@sew_sleep_deprived) – because I arrived at 10 am ready for the doors opening and did two circuits of all the stalls. looking back I should have looked at the needlework exhibition in that time, but hey ho. Whilst I did two circuits of the stalls I totally missed Girl Charlee stand. Luckily Lesley and Shirley informed me – I am a numpty! And, yeah that would be rude not to check it out.

And yes I bought lovely some lovely cotton jersey from Girl Charlee! In fact the same as Shirley – as I ❤️ teal too!

But it’s not all fabric, as I picked up the very cute pattern from the Emma Garry stall – it wasn’t a hard sell as Emma was wearing it herself and it was a beautiful version with some classy hacks! I’ve never heard of Sew Different Patterns before, have you? Let me know if you’ve tried any of the patterns! Emma Garry is based in Yorkshire and runs classes as well as designs and sells patterns.

It’s definitely a better show than last year. Maybe TATB and Sew Over It could make the journey as we’d love to see you up here!

This year was definitely busy than last year but there wasn’t any pushing or elbowing to get to any stalls from anyone. Plus there was plenty of lovely fabrics left from all the stalls. I think I will be getting one or two more from Fabrics Galore that I fell in love with!

And if you think that was all the fabric I added to my next shopping list, think again because I spotted more whilst I was at the M stall … cue fabrics from Montreux Fabrics that will also somehow magically appear into my stash soon!

My TATB Cleo had her grand day out and I got so many lovely 😊 comments on her! We all know we are our own worst critic but I’m truly humbled to receive so many nice comments on my first Cleo.

But in the evening at home, I must have pulled the dress at the buckle bit and it’s torn!! I’m distressed 😩- s7&*!!!

Should I patch it and reinforce it with interfacing and then add a bit of material to both sides to avoid this happening to the other side? I will have to get another stud as the current one has ripped through the fabric 😩. Any help on this matter will be gratefully received. B&££#%!!!

Moving on quickly to avoid me get all angry on (I am 😤) that matter would be a good idea.

So did I enjoy the show?

You betcha! I sure did! Meeting Lauren and Ben at the Guthrie & Ghani Stall was total amazeballs, as was spending the afternoon with Shirley and Lesley – they made me have a good chuckle! I wish I had a bigger budget for all the material that I walked away from but I now have regrets about not buying it but then again, if I did I would regret being skint for the rest of the frigging month!

I can’t wait until next years show! Eeeek, what will it bring?

Disclaimer: All views are my own! Please ask if you want to use my photos – Cheers!

Anything in Pink is Instagram names!

PDF’s| To Stick or Print?

Published on April 6, 2017April 6, 2017 by Emma_Ciarrocca15 Comments

When it comes to sticking PDF’s together, this is what my mind feels like do to it as I feel it cuts into my sewing time!

Don’t worry no food processor has been harmed. So far!

For all you lovely sewist like me who love the instantness of hitting a (or few!) button and having a beautiful PDF pattern all ready to go but have the fear or dread of sticking the recchit thing together, look no further as I have found a low-cost answer!

Recently I posted on Instagram, looking for recommendations to print my ever growing PDF’s (one of them is a Colette Moneta and another is the SOI Nancy Dress) and I got a lot of interest (THANKYOU!), some of you lovelies followed hoping to get some PDF Print love too.

One reply, in particular, was from @sio_sews:

Yeap, curiosity got the better of me and before I knew it I had carefully selected 10 files to print and hit ‘ORDER’ on www.netprinter.co.uk.

I selected A0 Plan printing unless the pattern instructions said otherwise. It’s 75p per A0 sheet. Because the PDF’s are in black in white it’s very much like an architect’s technical drawing and should never be priced as a poster print – if you are then it’s quite frankly daylight robbery! I did study interior design so I know what a technical drawing is like and a PDF pattern is just like this apart from it’s the blueprint for dressmaking.

Remember and allow for VAT and standard delivery! They add on at the end. You can get them rolled but only if you select Next Day delivery and specify in the “special instructions” box as you order if you want them rolled.

For standard delivery, it’s £3.00 and it takes 2-3 days to arrive.

I am very happy with the packaging that it came in and the excitement of trying to get into the sellotape was heightened with squeals of joy!

Processed with MOLDIV — it’s arrived from www.netprinter.co.uk

Would I recommend www.netprinter.co.uk?

Eh, Hell yeah! I had a couple of questions so queried them via email and got a very prompt and helpful reply. From start to finish the service and the product are tip top!

So there you go … There’s my pattern PDF adventure and long may it continue!

Happy no-sticking A4 pages together anymore!

DISCLAIMER: This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own! Photos’s are copyright so please do ask permission if you would like to use them – Cheers!

Made it: 1920’s style!

Published on March 21, 2017March 23, 2017 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

So I was invited to a 1920’s murder mystery that took place last weekend.

I scoured the internet for some sort of 1920’s dress but then remembered I had a lovely lace dress that I bought from Monsoon so that was that sorted.

Then the necklace and feather boa came from WM Armstrong store which hosts a selection of great vintage wear. The pearl necklace, I found at the Grassmarket Armstrongs and the Black Boa in the Clerk Street store.

Tempted to buy a fake cigarette and holder and long black gloves but I held off. The thought of more fancy dress never to be worn or used again was too much!

For the head-dress, I decided to make it. YES, you read right!

I found this tutorial, which kept me right for the basics – Head Dress Tutorial

From Remnant Kings, I bought some stretch sequin trim. Abby, my sewing teacher kindly gave me three peacock feathers to complete the look.

It was a pretty quick process and one I’m quite happy with. I stitched the feathers in with thread and a small piece of stretch sequin to stop the bottom of the feathers from scratching my forehead. I think it took my roughly half an hour to complete it and finish it, which a huge jump from any of my current makes!

*Disclaimer:

Please don’t use any photos without consent from myself- ta!
All opinions are my own!

Favourite Blogs: March

Published on March 13, 2017March 7, 2017 by Emma_Ciarrocca2 Comments

Blimey, March has come up all rosy with these crackers!

I’m pretty sure I found all of these whilst on The Fold Line website. The Fold Line itself is a great encyclopaedia for us sewists, I keep finding loads on the forum. It’s something I’d recommend to anyone who sews as most questions have been asked and answered!

http://beebeeshandmadedress.blogspot.co.uk/ – I can’t remember why I clicked but I’m sure happy I did as a Seamwork “Mesa” was reviewed and shown off by the lovely Stevie. It’s been one of the Seamwork patterns that have been on my radar and really must get down as I’m sure Little Miss Lorraine has done one as well and it looks so good!

https://sewinprogress.com/2017/02/25/the-saunio-cardigan/ – As you can see the title just cries out with the saunio cardigan! Ha Ha and I’m not quite sure if you know that I wasn’t particularly blown away at first. Well that changed, thanks to this version and a whole lot of other versions of Saunio. I love her layout of her blog as well.

https://stitchingupparisblog.wordpress.com/tours/ – Who wouldn’t run around in sheer hyper happiness shouting “yes, Yes YES” to Fabric tours in Paris? Personally, I love a macaron, but combining a tour with fabric and Paris is sheer amazing in my books … I wonder who many pennies I would have at the end of one of these tours? Probably zilch! I better started saving if I want to go!

Hope you enjoy these as much as I did.

Keep stitching!

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own.

My favourite blogs of the month: February

Published on February 18, 2017February 17, 2017 by Emma_Ciarrocca2 Comments

This feature is new. Yes, Brand spanking new on my blog.

Why? Well, clearly it’s quite cool (in my opinion) to share a blog that you may or may not know about.

This month I’ve decided to share with you Sea Salt & Stitches blog. It’s brand new to me and I love her style!

Little Miss Lorraine (another new favourite!) mentioned her via a blog post all about bullet journaling (something I’m trying out myself, Thanks to these two and Holly Dollie) and I suddenly on her website within a flash. Yes. A FLASH!

I’ve also had a sudden explosion organisation. This involves coming up with a lot of blog post being named via my #makenine2017 list (which is soon to be released!) and some other projects, both selfish and selfless. Plus splurges (fabric and sewing related pieces) and “Sew Shop Local” features. This sudden explosion has definitely got to do with the idea of bullet journaling. I think this is going to be an interesting journey. I feel both inspired and empowered seeing the origin of the Bullet Journal.

screenshot-2017-02-15-14-32-39 — Just a snippet of what’s in the pipeline!

You get I’m all excited about the Bullet Journal, don’t you?

Anyhow enough of that talk because there will be a fully loaded blog post coming very soon to your screens with my version.

Sea Salt & Stitches‘ has lovely tutorials also. I’m looking forward to trying a couple out – particularly the Christmas apron and the flower pot pincushion!

The dresses that Suzie has made have a similar taste in what I want to be able to achieve. They are all gorgeous. My favourite dress is the tartan washi’s – perhaps that’s the wee Scottish girl calling out of me! The washi dress is definitely on my top 20 and by the looks of it, it’s now a firm favourite!

screenshot-2017-02-15-14-35-52 — Very keen to try this beauty of a dress out!

The blog site is nice and clean, easy to navigate and quite delightful!

Little Miss Lorraine is another recent addition to the blog reading list. I found her blog because I subscribe to her YT channel, which is one of my favourite channels to watch.

Her blog also features her Etsy shop where you can buy her handmade items – which are all lovely, so lovely it’s quite difficult to decide which one to get!

LML’s YT channel is a delight to watch and so is her blog. It took me a while to actually click that she has a blog (don’t worry it’s me, not you LML!), I’m sometimes a bit slow to catch on!

Another very informative sewing blog with lots of things to keep you entertained for hours!

Last but not least, is the delightful Hollie Dolly. Again, I was slow to click on that she had a blog also. I think that has a lot to do with the number of ideas I want to do. Seriously I am OCD with ideas for this, that and the other lol.

Anyhow, Holly Dollies’ site is quirky featuring what’s she has made and her latest fabric hauls. I can’t get over how smiley she is on camera – she is so sweet!

So that’s a wee scoop into why these are my favourite blogs this month … Now, how many will I come across before next month lol!

Disclaimer: all opinions are my own and this post is not sponsored!

What I love: January

Published on February 2, 2017 by Emma_Ciarrocca1 Comment

I’ve been finding so many things recently that I thought I might as well share them with you too! So much so, I’ve decided to do a monthly thing!

Ok so first up is the tailors’ ham and sausage! I didn’t realise how useful they are until I used them myself and further more I want to make a pair. So I found a pattern from Jennifer Lauren Vintage and now planning that into my projects!

Other sewing related items to make are pattern weights and a pin cushion! Ok, I’m torn between these macaron pattern weights and my own handmade ones! I could have both? You can never have enough pattern weights, can you?

So that’s a few more things I have to get on & make and I can’t wait to show you!

I’m loving the sound of the #monetaparty by @sewpositivity on Instagram. The Moneta pattern by Colette has been in my stash for yonks and it’s been a firm favourite since seeing so many vlogs featuring it.

One Vlog in particular, caught my attention and that was Gingerthread girl‘s version of Moneta. I’m definitely raising the waistline as I prefer a higher waist line and suit it. I’ve been tagged so I think it’s only right to join in with everyone! I’ve bought three bits of jersey for Moneta in mind – yes three.

Tilly and the Buttons book, “Love At First Stitch” is getting me all excited as the pictures and details for each project are simple to follow. I asked for the book for my birthday, which my lovely Bro bought for me! However, there will be a lot of grading up as the pattern size of a 20 ain’t going to fit around my hips! It’s one that I’m going to work through from the first project to the last. It’ll do me the world of good!

That being said I’ve already graded up Cleo and sewing that up as we speak (ok it’s not in LAFS but at least it’s one of my make nine 2017). Yes, I’m a bit slow to catch the Cleo train but I can’t wait to see how it turns out! There will be a post about this separately when it’s finished!

Editing my first vlog is taking way longer than expected but I am getting there and I am learning as I go – so all in all, it’s getting there.

I’m not loving the Anabelle dress at the moment as I’ve had to rip the seams a few times. And I think it’s way too small – eek & BOOOOO! I’m going to leave the LRD for a while as there are plenty of projects that I need to get on with AND FINISH.

So with January being over, it’s time to think what I’m going to be doing in February. I must start using my stash. So this month I’m going to rein in my splurges on fabric. I know I said that in January but there were too many sales going on and it got the better of me! February can be that month where I indulge in my stash (AND TRY AND NOT BUY ANYTHING) and really start using it as it’s starting to get to extreme levels!

Hope you’ve had a more productive January than I have!

Sew let’s shop: My favourite online sewing shops.

Published on January 21, 2017January 22, 2017 by Emma_Ciarrocca4 Comments

Let’s face it, we are truly lucky to have so many fabulous online fabric shops these days, offering us loads of gorgeous fabrics.

In this blog post, I’d thought I should share my top 5 with you and why they are my favourite. By the way, they are in no particular order because they are all splendid in their own way!

imgres-1 Fabric Godmother’s website for me is well laid out for me, making fabric easy (or too easy in my case) to find. It’s clean and crisp, just how I like websites. I’ve bought a couple of pieces of fabric and have been very happy with them. I still have them in my stash and this is a running theme – 2017 has to shake me up to make them into beautiful garments!

http://www.fabricgodmother.co.uk/

For me, Guthrie & Ghani has a lovely style. I spend hours browsing the fabrics on the website. Just recently I bought some lovely cotton with hot air balloons, which I’m looking into making a nice dress for summer with. Whilst writing this post up, I had a quick browse and spotted some gorgeous striped jersey (perfect for a coco) but will have wait until pay day as all my fabric allowance is used up!

https://guthrie-ghani.co.uk/

It’s name speaks volumes. Boy, does this website have loads to choose from! On more than one occasion I’ve bought something special. Yes, yet again it’s still in the fabric stash but I have an idea for each piece bought! I bought my Houndstooth jersey from here and it’s going to be perfect for a dress!

http://www.fabricsgalore.co.uk/

An emporium not by half. Still good quality fabric at a good price too. I’ve managed to get a couple of bargains in the sale too, which I’m pretty chuffed about. But their site sometimes goes all weird on me and doesn’t load which is annoying! Still,l the fabric is pretty good for what you pay for 😀

https://www.fabricland.co.uk

Oooooh! I love scrolling over and seeing what Lisa and her team have chosen in the New section fabric wise. There’s just so much gorgeous lovely fabric to choose from! I’ve recently joined the PDF club too. It’s only a £5 for the whole year, with that you get to choose a free PDF and first to know of any new PDFs released! I adore her patterns too – yes I still have to make the ones I have – now that’s a surprise (NOT!).

http://sewoverit.co.uk/

Okay I know I’ve gone over my top 5 but this lovely shop can give the others a run for their money. Sewn, which is based in Bristol has a beautiful website of a wonderful collection of fabric. I just hope I get the chance to go and visit someday! Bought some fabric too, which was in the sale (OOOOOPS)!

http://www.sewnbristol.co.uk/

imgres-2

I found out about the textile centre via Lizzie B on her YT channel. I have to go and check it out since she showed off her jersey for her TATB Coco Dress (YES, I bought yet more fabric) Also since this is new to me I thought I would share this one with you too. Really good quality fabrics and the price isn’t bad either!

https://www.thetextilecentre.co.uk/

So there you go, my top 5 (and more) online shops for fabric. I’m going to be sharing my fabrics that I’ve recently bought in a vlog (yes I said vlog). It will probably be the second vlog as I’m editing my first vlog which is to released very soon! My vlog channel is SEW DO IT EMMA’s VLOG – be sure to subscribe if you don’t want to miss any vlogs!

Emma

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and this post is not at all sponsored!

Sewing Inspiration: Wrapped Up

Published on January 6, 2017 by Emma_Ciarrocca2 Comments

Ever since I received Simple Sew’s Lena Wrap Dress pattern with this month’s issue of Love Sewing Magazine I’ve been drooling all over wrap dresses … it’s only been a few days since the start of the affair!

I’ve been on loads of websites like TopShop, Simply Be and White Stuff as well as good old Pinterest to get inspiration and see what fabrics have been used.

I have a warning though ⚠️ – there are a lot of pictures here and I have tried to give credit where I got the image!

Ok, now the fun bit! Me talking what inspires me about each picture!

I love this velvet dress for all the reasons that it is a velvet wrap dress – I love the colour, it’s a gorgeous pastel pink and with it being velvet, it’s going to be warm! That a big tick in my book!

I stumbled on this pattern and I have to honestly say it’s going straight onto my patterns to get list! It just speaks to me for a summer holiday! Cue Cliff Richard … 🌞🏄🏻‍♀️

I’m not sure that this is still available to date but it’s a great variation on the wrap dress!

Burda has a great offering, particularly those who want that velvet wrap dress … eeeek another one on that list! I’m really needing to do a #maketwenty2017 list rather than a #makenine2017 list at this rate! But hang I think this may be a too clingy fit for me so I’ll hold ma horses!

This wrap dress has a gorgeous dress, I’ve still to see if it’s still available or if there is an alternative … stunner of an occasion dress (maybe Christmas 🎄)

Sew Over It’s Lisa Comfort looks so glam in her version of the wrap dress. I could and probably will add her Ultimate Wrap Dress to my collection soon – no surprises there then!

This dress was pull from my Pinterest feed and I adore the colour and the drape – but wondering what fabric it is! Any ideas?

Now when I first saw this image on Pinterest I thought it was “Carrie” from “Sex and the City” but on closer inspection, I don’t think it is. But wow the wool looks good on a wrap dress, such a different structure and so elegant!

This Pleated version from Topshop is gorgeous! Can you tell I’m immediately drawn to berries and wine colours? I had to look really closely as I couldn’t believe it was velvet – until now I didn’t think it was a thing. WOW!

A really nice floral wrap dress and it’s from Simply Be. I don’t normally shop in Simply be as I’m not a fan of most of the materials that they use in the clothes. But I like the shape and colour of this dress. Probably I’ll like it until I feel it!

I really like the cut on this one. I think this be viscose as it looks quite drapey, although I could be wrong!

Ooooh! Something to mix it up – a long wrap dress (which is quite similar to the simplicity pattern I showed you earlier. This could be ideal for going out or a wearing it on a cool summer night!

I was a bit mixed about using this image as it’s a bit booby! But I like the deep red fabric. If I ever get a low cut like this then a cami goes on underneath to protect my dignity! Possibly a crepe mix? Jersey?

This floral version is from White Stuff. It’s quite different from the picture above and it’s something I would consider age appropriate for myself and not booby!

This slit is a bit high in this one but I like the light-weight fabric that has been used. The longer sleeves are a plus too.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my commentary all about wrap dresses and maybe given you some inspiration. Hopefully, you’ll get an insight of what kinda style I’d go for and possibly colour. I think Lena will be making an appearance pretty soon – It’s safe to say this affair is going pretty viral!

Disclaimer: Credit has been given to images. This post is NOT sponsored. All opinions are my OWN.

Where do I Start?

Published on January 2, 2017 by Emma_Ciarrocca5 Comments

I’m scratching my head as I really want to start doing a vlog that runs alongside my blog. There are so many beautiful sewing vloggers out there I would like tips on where to start and how to do one.

I’ve watched several YouTube videos on how to do it. But I’m still struggling to look and sound streamlined – do you do it in one take? Or is in several little takes and cleverly edited together?

After filming myself several times in one take, I’m coming to the conclusion I need to take bite takes and mould them into one.

Also when your looking into your iPhone/ iPad, you look at the little lens rather than the screen? I’m thinking I should be looking at the lens! Am I right?

With so many questions am asking myself how much time do you put into your own vlog before you publish them? How long does it take to film and the edit? What editing apps do you use if you use an iPad or iPhone.

I have an dslr camera and a tripod which I could set up instead of the iPhone/iPad.

I’m thinking of using the vlog to be interactive with the patterns and fabric I choose for my projects. I’ll also pass on any tips that I’ve found useful and with that maybe show you any new things that I’ve bought. On top of that, a sewing room tour would definitely be top of the list and details of how I organised my space would also be available. When I’ve made my makes I can show them off by giving them a twirl and give my pros, cons and findings.

Of course, I still keep blogging – but the vlog would be that little extra. It’s just going to take a little time to bring it altogether but any tips would be really appreciated from experienced bloggers&vloggers!

Thank you for reading and Happy New Year to you all xx

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